Kevin Hayes-Eric Staal-Jesper Fast line gives Rangers a lift

Ian Cole #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for the puck in the third period against Kevin Hayes #13 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Mar. 27, 2016 in New York City. Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Alain Vigneault’s latest chemistry experiment worked well over the weekend with a third-line mix for his Rangers that yielded lots of chances in the victory at Montreal and two goals in the overtime loss to Pittsburgh at the Garden.

Now comes the next chance for Kevin Hayes at center, Eric Staal on left wing and Jesper Fast on the right to help the Rangers try to clinch a playoff berth Thursday night in Staal’s return to his old Carolina home. With a regulation or overtime win, the Rangers would be in because they would own the regulation/OT wins tiebreaker over Detroit or Boston.

“I thought the line the last game was our most effective offensively,” Vigneault said after Wednesday’s practice. “They got pucks deep, were able to get in on the forecheck and recover some of those pucks. And when they did, their size and their skill and their reading off one another permitted them to get some quality chances, and they were able to cash in on a couple . . . Hopefully they can continue and do that tomorrow.”

Staal had stalled offensively, scoring once over his first 13 games after coming from Carolina Feb. 28. But he shifted from center and cashed in two goals against Pittsburgh, both assisted by Hayes and Fast.

“It starts with Hayes in the middle,” Fast said. “He’s a big guy, strong on the puck, can make plays. Eric . . . [has] good experience that can help me and Hayesie. I think we have good chemistry so far.”